South Korea’s First Vice Overseas Minister Kim Hong-kyun, left, and Deputy Protection Minister for Coverage Cho Chang-rae, proper, with Below Secretary of State for Arms Management and Worldwide Safety Bonnie Jenkins, second from left, and Performing Deputy Below Secretary of Protection for Coverage Cara Abercrombie pose for a photograph after a press convention on the State Division in Washington, Sept. 4. They held a session of the allies’ Prolonged Deterrence Technique and Session Group the identical day. Yonhap
South Korea and the USA held simulation drills in Washington this week to boost nuclear deterrence cooperation, each side mentioned Friday, because the allies step up safety coordination to counter evolving North Korean threats.
Seoul and Washington held the primary desk prime simulation (TTS) of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), the allies’ key nuclear deterrence dialogue physique, on Thursday and Friday, Seoul’s protection ministry and the Pentagon mentioned in a joint assertion.
The TTS drills concerned officers from the 2 international locations’ nationwide safety, army, diplomatic and intelligence authorities, it mentioned.
“The simulation enormously contributes to the work of NCG, particularly by strengthening the alliance’s method to cooperative decision-making about nuclear deterrence and planning for potential nuclear contingencies on the Korean Peninsula,” they mentioned within the launch.
Throughout the TTS program, the U.S. reaffirmed America’s “ironclad” prolonged deterrence dedication to South Korea, based on the discharge. Prolonged deterrence refers back to the U.S.’ pledge to make use of the total vary of its army capabilities, together with nuclear weapons, to defend its ally.
TTS adopted the newest session of the Prolonged Deterrence Technique and Session Group, one other bilateral deterrence dialogue physique, in Washington, Wednesday.
The allies’ deterrence efforts got here as Pyongyang has been doubling down on its nuclear and missile applications within the midst of its deepening army cooperation with Moscow, whereas significant diplomacy to curb the North’s nuclear threats has stalled.
Issues have additionally lingered that the recalcitrant regime may have interaction in provocative acts earlier than the U.S. presidential election in November.
Seoul and Washington launched the NCG in July final yr in step with the Washington Declaration that President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden issued at their summit in April final yr to strengthen the credibility of America’s prolonged deterrence dedication. (Yonhap)
